Fireproof floor and ceiling construction



D. F. STOCKBRIDGE. FIREPROOF FLOOR AND CEILING CONSTRUCTION.

-APPL|CATION FILED JUNE 12. I918- Patenteti Nov. 16, 192(L 2 SHEETSSHEETl- (Mr/aw, & v m:

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D. F. STOCKBRIDGE.

FIREPROOF FLOOR AND CEILING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. IQIB- 1,358,999. Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID F. STOCKBRIDGE, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA.

" FIREPROOF FLOOR AND CEILING CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Application filed June 12, 1918. Serial No. 239,638.

This invention relatesto a fire-proof floor andceiling construction, andparticularly to a composition block of improved design for use insuchconstruction.

The design of cement floorsin fire-proof buildings varies greatly underdifferent conditions of load anduse, but, ina great number of caseswhere the loads are .relatively light, the preferred constructioncomprises a relatively thin cement floor supported at regular intervalsby reinforced cement beams or girders formed integral with the floor.These beams are spaced apart in accordance with the conditions in eachparticular case, the space between the beams being ordinarily betweenfour and ten feet. For factory and warehouse purposes such a floor, withspaced supporting beams integral therewith, is complete when molded andrequires no-finishing or further attention. In buildings for otherpurposes, such as store and officebuildings, a smooth ceiling beneaththe floor is essential.

Such a ceiling may be secured in either one of two ways. First, anexpanded metal or other plaster-supporting structure may be extendedfrom beam to beam, and may of, such construction and to increase thestrength and reliability of the resulting structure. 7 v 7 -With thisgeneral object in view, an important feature of my invention consists inthe provision of a series of composition blocks having intersupportingelements, whereby the stronger portion of each block is effective tosupport the weaker portion of the next adjacent block, thus providing acomplete structure of uniform and sufiicient strength.

In the preferred form of my invention each block is made with one openside, the

other side being closed and having a projection thereon adapted toengage the next adjacent block on its open side, and to partiallysupport said block.

Other features of my invention relate to arrangements and combinationsof parts fire-proof floor and ceiling taken trans versely of the beamsand lengthwise of my improved block;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view taken substantially from the planeof the line 22in Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view lookin in the direction of thearrow 3 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view'taken from the plane of the line1-4 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 5 is a side view of my improved block;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view thereof;

.Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the whole block looking in thedirection of the arrow 7 in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a slightly modified floor structure.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown a section of a fire-proof floorandceiling comprising, av cement floor 10 supported by spaced integralcementrbeams 11 and 12 reinforced, by metal rods 13. Between the beamsIhave indicated in section my improved hollow blocks 14. The preferredconstruction of these blocks is shown in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, eachblock comprising a top 15, a bottom 16, ends 17 and 18. and a closedside 19 upon which is formed a rib or projection 20. The top of theblock is shown herein as having an arched section, and the rib 20corresponds in shape to the section of the .top 15, having itsupper edgesubstantially in line with the lower face of the top 15. The ends of therib 20 are also substantially in line with .the inner faces of the ends17 and 18 of the block 14. These ends'17 and 18 are preferably groovedor roughened so th-attheblocke maybe securely supported by theirengagement with the cement beams at each end, and the lower edge orcorner of each end of the blockis preferably provided with a dove-tailedrecess 21 for a purpose to be described These blocks may be made ofcement or h -.eny other su ab e m ia or QmP tion and may, if desired, bereinforced as indicated in Figs. ;and 6 by embedding metallic meshfabric 22 in the top and by placing reinforcing wires or rods 23 and 2 1in the closed side 19. Similar rods24 may,

i if desired, be extended across the bottom 16.

- H-aying described the details of construct o o impro ed compo i on bock, t -.use and advantages thereof will be apof the top 15 of eachblockrests upon the rib or projection 20 upon the reinforced clos d,Side of the next adjacent block. The top of each block is thus firmlysupported al ng on edge by it own clo e s e, a along the opposite edgeby the closed side of the next adjacent block, the successive blo k bing tim r pp ed The ends of the ribs 20 are cutaway just enough so thatthe rib will fit within the end'walls of the next adjacent block and the'rib therefore serves also to prevent relative lateral displacement ofthe blocks. The recesses inv the lower .end corners ofthe blocksar'eadapted to receive and position the planks or forms I upon which theh emen o make the b ms nd floor.

After the cement has set, the forms F are removed andthe under side ofthe blocks and beams may be plastered, as indicated at 30 in Fig; l, theplaster along the under side I d J being securely retained by thedovetailed recesses.

. In Fig. 8 I-have indicated a slight mod11- -fi'cat io n in whichthere'cesscs 21 are omitted and the under faces of the blocks restdirectly upon the forms F. With this construction the under sides of thebeams and blocks form a continuous smooth surface which may be leftunfinished, or which may be plastered as indicated at 31. I The block atone end of each series of blocks will necessarily have its open sideoutermost, and this open side'should be closed in some convenient mannerbeforet e bl ak s Pla d i p t n Such 0.10-

VVhile I have show y impmved blocks as embodied in constructions inwhich they .are covered by. a cement floor layer, they may also be usedin constructions in which the floor layer isomitted, as an cases wherethe space above the ceiling 1S merely {an unfinished .loft. 'The blocksthemselves are of the same time I have greatly reduced the weight .byproviding each block with an Open side extending the whole lengththereof. Furthermore, by utilizing the intersupporting feature I havebeen enabled to reduce the weight without in any way impairing thestrength or reliability of the block.

Having described my invention it will be evident that other changes andmodifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the claims,and I do not wish to be otherwise limited to the details hereindisclosed, but what I claim is 1. A hollow composition block for use infire-proof floor and ceiling construction formed as a single piece ofmaterial with top, bottom, two ends, and one side integral andsubstantially closed, and with the re maining sideopen, said closed sidehaving a portion effective .to engage and support the top of the nextadjacent block along the open side of said block. said blocks being ofsubstantially greater width than height, and being of relatively shortlength and all of the walls thereof being relatively thin and ofsubstantially uniform thickness throughout the structure of thebloc'k.

2. A. hollow composition block for use in fire proof floor and ceilingconstruction formed as a single piece of material with top, bottom.two'ends, and one side integral and substantially closed. and with theremaining side open, said block having an outwardly projecting rib onits closed side .spaced fromthe top and effective to extend beneath andsupport the top of a similar adjacent block along the open side of saidblock. the ends of said rib being also spaced from the end of the blockand being effective to prevent relative lateral displacement of adjacentblocks.

3. A hollow composition block for use in fire :proof floors and ceilingconstruction formed as a single niece of material with top, bottom, twoends, and one side integral and substantially closed, and With theremaining side open, said closed side having a portion effective tosupport the top of the next adjacent block along the open side of saidblock and the top of said block being of substantially uniform thicknessthroughout and being substantially in the shape of a flattenedlongitudinal arch, whereby its strength is increased.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

DAVID F. STOCKBRIDGE.

